Package



Feb. 14, 1.967 P. G. MEILLEUR PACKAGE Filed May s, 1965 PAUL G. MEILLEUR @Ivm/6.

United States Patent C 3,303,928 PACKAGE Paul G. Meilleur, Oconomowoc Lake, Wis., assigner to Alien-Bradley Company, Miiwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 3, 1965, Ser. No. 452,825 6 Claims. (Cl. 1206-65) This invention pertains to a packaging device and more particularly to a package for a substantial number of units, which uni-ts comprise a body portion with wire like leads extending therefrom. A primary example of such units is found in electrical components such as resistors with their cylindrical bodies and extended leads.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple, economic yet effective package for electrical component type units with body and lead portions through the use of an adhesive such as Ian adhesive strip to which the unit body is attached. The net result, then, is a package having a minimum of material and parts and which can be manufactured, filled and emptied at -a minimum cost due to time and materials. Y

A further object of this invention is to provide a package for electronic component type units which is simple and inexpensive while affording stability to the packaged units suihcient to eliminate need for special packing and handling during package shipment.

A further object of this invention is to provide a package for electronic component type units with leads easily distorted, which package prevents lead distortion.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a package for electronic components type units which is readily adaptable to the unit users needs in transferring said units from the package.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package for electronic component type units which is readily converted for ease in transfer of the units from the package.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a xethod of handling electronic component type units and thereby transfer same from a package with adhesive means for body attachment by folding a part of said package away from a part of said units and thereafter bring said units in Contact with said package for reiative movement between said units and materials handling apparatus.

These and other objects will become apparent after a reading of the specification with its drawings which follows.

In order to more clearly describe the invention, an illusrative version thereof is set forth in the accompanying drawings and is described in more detail below. It is to be noted that the appended claims, as opposed to illustrative version, manifest the scope of the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a front View of the package in its closed form.

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the package shown in FIGURE l but with the cover ajar so as to reveal the package contents.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional, side View of vthe package as shown in FIGURE 2 taken along the line 3 3.

FIGURE 3a is a partial view taken from FIGURE 3 showing one method of removing the packaged units through removal of the adhesive strip.

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of the package as seen in FIGURE 2 but converted for dispensing of the package units. This figure further incorporates a representation of apparatus used to remove the units -frorn the package through contact of the apparatus with leads of the unit.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the package -as shown in FIGURE 4 including a representative receptacle for packaged units removed by contacting the body of the unit.

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FIGURE 6 is a partial isometric view of the package shown in FIGURE 4 taken in vcombination with the representative receptacle of FIGURE 4 to better illustrate a transfer method.

FIGURE 6a is a plan view of the representative unit receptacle shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

The package 1 of the invention includes a cover 2 and a panel 3 both of which are joined at a common side in a hinged joint 4. The particular manner by which the joint is accomplished is a matter of ldesign including, for example, a slit score. In order that part or all of the contents of the package can -be viewed when the package 1 is in the closed position of FIGURE 1, a slot 5 may be used. The hole 6, located at the top of the panel 3, is included for a variety of purposes such as a receptacle for a hook on a display counter or use with the unit handling method as set forth below.

The inside of the package 1 is shown by FIGURE 2. The panel 3 includes an adhesive strip '10 to which the units 11 to be packaged are attached. j

The units 11 selected to illustrate the invention herein consist of cylindrical bodies 12 and lead wires 13 extending from either end as, for example, is found in an electrical resistor component. It is the body portion 12 which is secured to the adhesive strip 10 in an in-line pattern. Obviously, the particular side of body 12 from which the leads 13 extend is a matter of choice.

A preferred construction of the panel 3 is illustrated in FIGURE 3. Here, the panel 3, with the exception of the adhesive strip 1t), is made from a relatively stiff material such as cardboard. An important factor in material selection for panel 3 is the material of lead wires 13 adjacent said panel 3. For example, it is important to many electronic components that there be an absence of a corrosive agent adjacent the leads 13 which would, in part, dictate the material for panel 3. A slot 16 is cut in the panel 3, and an adhesive strip 10 traverses and closes siot 16 as the strip 1li is affixed to the rear 18 of panel 3. Thus, the bodies 12 of the electrical component type units 11 will be located, in part, in slot 16 while adhering to the adhesive strip iti; but these bodies 12 will also extend out from Athe slot 16 such that the leads 13 can ride adjacent the surface of panel 3. This construction permits maximum concentration of packed units 11 without intermingling of the lead wires 13. The `particular material to be used for the adhesive strip 1li is a matter of choice although the strip 10 in many cases must be aggresive enough to hold the units 11 without injuring the surface of the unit, e.g. disrupt a painted color code. In actual practice, a Number 236 tape manufactured by the 3-M Company has been used.

The use of slot 5 in cover 2 provides a solidly packaged unit 11 since the body 12 will extend into the slot 5, coincident with slot 16, permitting the cover 2 to abut the lead wires 13. Thus, the lead wires 13 are secured between the cover 5 and panel 3 when the package 1 is closed as in FIGURE 1. The thickness of and materials used for the cover 2 must satisfy the Same requirements, with respect to the units 11, as is applicable to the panel 3 and set forth above. This cover structure with slot 5, in combination with the panel 3 and its slot 16, results in packaged units 11 which are secure to the extent that shipment of the package 1 without damage to the units 11 may be accomplished without extensive additional packing or handling, e.g. shipment by first or third class mail is possible.

IGURE 3a depicts the versatility of the package 1. Here, the adhesive strip 10 is pulled away from the rear 18 of panel 3 to thereby free the respective unit 11. This unit freedom is made possible through the cooperation between the panel 3, the slot 16 and the lead wires 13 which abut the adjacent panel 3 and thereby supply the force necessary to oppose the force used to tear the strip away from the rear 18 of panel 3.

Examples of construction alternative to that shown in FIGURE 3 include additional laminated layers or backing added to the back side 18 of the panel 3 or a slot 16 which is molded into or cut from a block with an adhesive added to the rear of the grooved slot 16. The latter alternative would use a material such as polystyrene most effectively.

The package 1 further includes construction which permits ease in conversion for transfer of the units 11 from the package 1. This transfer is accomplished through the scored lines 2) (FIGURES l and 2) which are conventional in nature, e.g. grooved cuts. By bending the panel 3 back and away from the adhesive strip 16 along these lines 29, the package is converted to the arrangement as shown in FIGURE 4. That is, only that portion of the panel 3 in-line with the adhesive strip 10, the strip 10, itself, and the bodies 12 attached thereto extend forward with the leads 13 being free from the previously adjacent portions of panel 3. In this folded position of FIGURE 4, the lead wires 13 become readily accessible for removal by hand, individual ly or in groups, or by machine as set forth below.

The location of the score lines can be within,-ad jacent to or varying distances from the long edge of slot 16. Locating the score lines 28 at the edge of slot 16 can be significant as best shown by FIGURE 5. Here, it will be noted that the units 11 remain attached to the adhesive strip 10; but at the same time, these units 11 extend further from the package 1 than the plane of the panel 3 when unfolded as in FIGURES l-3. This extended positioning of the units 11 results from the score lines 20 being7 at the edge of or within the width -of the adhesive strip 16; thus causing the adhesive strip 10, which is attached to the back side 18 of panel 3 so as to extend beyond the score lines 20, to thereby bulge within the slot 16. The advantages of this particular result will become apparent in connection with the transfer operations as described below. This bulging effect of the adhesive strip 10 as shown in FIGURE 5 can be further enhanced by pressing those portions of the panel 3, which are folded back and away, together at points adjacent to the adhesive strip 10.

Transferring the units 11 from the package 1 to a usable materials handling apparatus with a minimum of handling steps is illustrated by FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 6a. In FIGURES 5, 6 and 6a, a representative receptacle illustrates the apparatus used in transferring the units 11 from the package 1 to what is known in the industry as a rail, i.e. arranging the units 11 in an in-line condition for subsequent use.

As will best be seen from FIGURE 6a, the receptacle 25 consists of the slots 26 which guide the leads 13 of the units 11. The side plates 27 and the end plate 28 provide the necessary structure to make up the slots 26. By generating motion between the package 1 and receptacle 25 in respectively opposite directions, i.e. moving the package 1 in the direction of arrow 30 and/ or the receptacle 25 in the direction of arrow 31, and at the same time bringing the units 11 adjacent the slots 26 (FIGURE 5), the units 11 will be transferred from the package 1, sequentially, to the receptacle 25. The ease of the transfer will he enhanced with the bodies 11 being further from the panel 3 as shown in FIGURE 5 since the bodes 12 of the units 11 may then, alone, contact the receptacle 25. The exact angle at which the package 1 moves with respect to the receptacle 25 is in part a function of the receptacle design and as such a matter within the skill of the operator.

The apparatus in FIGURE 4 is illustrative of structure used in another method of transferring the units 11 from the package 1. Here, the panel 3 is folded back and away from the lead wires 13, along the score lines 20 located parallel to but not necessarily coincident with the edge of slot 16, a sufficient distance to permit insertion of pick-off fingers 36 therebetween. By moving the apparatus 35, in the direction of the arrow 37, and/or the package 1 in the direction of the arrow 38 so as to establish a relative motion therebetween, the units 11 will be transferred, sequentially, to the apparatus 35 as the lead wires 13 contact and follow along the fingers 36. Apparatus 35, similar to receptacle 25, includes a slot il for the lead wires 13 of the units 11 and a groove 41 for the bodies 12. Again, the particular angle between the package 1 and the apparatus 35 is a matter of judgment for the skilled operator.

Thus, it is apparent that the invention constitutes a package adaptable to varied techniques for handling and transferring the packaged electrical component type units; said techniques incorporating ease and simplicity, which are essential to any successful production process.

I claim:

1. A package for a plurality of units including body portions with leads extending therefrom, said package comprising panel means, adhesive means to retain said body portions as a part of said package, said adhesive means being a part of said panel means and said panel means including at least one score line means running substantially parallel with said adhesive means to permit folding at least a portion of said panel means back and away from at least the adhesive means.

2. A package for a plurality of units including body portions with leads extending therefrom, said package comprising panel means, adhesive means to retain said body portions as a part of said package, said adhesive means being a part of said panel means, said panel means including slot means which accommodate said body portions, said slot means being traversed by said adhesive means, and said panel means including at least one score means intercepting said slot means to permit folding at least a portion of said panel means back and away from said slot means.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein said slot extends through said panel means and said adhesive means cornprises an adhesive strip means attached to said panel means to thereby close said slot.

4. The package of claim 3 wherein said strip means is attached to a side of said panel toward which said panel portions are folded to thereby urge that part of said strip means which closes said slot means to bulge in a direction opposite to said fold.

5. The package of claim 1 wherein a cover means with a slot means coincident to said slot means in said panel means is secured by hinge means to said panel means.

6. The package of claim 5 which assumes a closed condition when said cover panel means are adjacent said lead means which are thereby secured therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,251,609 8/1941 Freeburg 206-65 2,363,997 1l/1944 Rothman 206-83 3,047,144 7/1962 Vissel 206-.83 3,050,186 8/1962 Niles 206-56 3,093,243 6/1963 Petter 206-65 3,198,329 8/1965 Golenpaul et al. 206-65 FOREIGN PATENTS 680,632 10/1952 Great Britain. 721,480 4/1952 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

MARTHA L. RICE, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No., 3,303,928 February 14, 1967 Paul G. Meilleur It is hereby certified that error appears n the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent Should read as corrected below.

Column l, line 33* for "components" read component columnv 2, line 44, for "packed" read packaged* column 4, lines 4l and 50, for the claim reference numeral "l", each Occurrence, read 2 Signed and sealed this 17th day of October 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents wr t t 

1. A PACKAGE FOR A PLURALITY OF UNITS INCLUDING BODY PORTIONS WITH LEADS EXTENDING THEREFROM, SAID PACKAGE COMPRISING PANEL MEANS, ADHESIVE MEANS TO RETAIN SAID BODY PORTIONS AS A PART OF SAID PACKAGE, SAID ADHESIVE MEANS BEING A PART OF SAID PANEL MEANS AND SAID PANEL 